Brexit no deal news: DON'T book your summer holiday without reading THIS

THE Brexit deadline is fast approaching, and with a key vote in Parliament on Tuesday looking unlikely to pass, a no deal scenario is looking more and more likely. Here, we share top tips to avoid a ruined summer holiday.

In the evening of Tuesday, January 15, MPs will vote on Prime Minister Theresa May’s draft Brexit deal. The deal has garnered widespread criticism from across the political spectrum, and you can read more about the potential outcomes HERE. While we wait for the outcome, Express.co.uk has spoken to the experts to save you from a summer holiday disaster if the UK crashes out of the EU on March 29.

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Brexit comes with a lot of uncertainty, and that increases when we look at the possibility of no deal.

Will our passports still work? Will flights still be able to land in the EU? Will the pound still hold value?

The government has tried to prepare the public by publishing a set of “technical notices,” which reveal facts such as a potential halt on the automatic right to operate air services between the UK and the EU without seeking advanced permission.

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Brexit no deal news: There is a real chance of drastically increasing prices on flights (Image: Getty)

Top tips for planning your summer holiday:

TIP 1: NEVER CHOOSE TO "PAY IN STERLING"

When using your debit or credit card to make a purchase abroad, you'll often be asked whether you want to pay in the local currency or in sterling.

At first, paying in sterling seems like a great idea because you know how much you'll be paying in your own currency and there are no surprises, but don't be fooled.

Choosing to pay in sterling will always be more expensive due to something called Dynamic Currency Conversion.

This is where the vendor gets to set their own exchange rate, which will usually leave you out of pocket when compared to your own bank's exchange rate.

Choose instead to pay in the local currency and let your bank apply the exchange rate later on, which will be even more critical if the pound plunges after Brexit.

TIP 2: CHECK WHEN YOUR PASSPORT EXPIRES

This one is courtesy of the government, as published in the technical notices.

The entry requirements for British passport holders, including those with passports issued by the Crown Dependencies (Guernsey, Isle of Man, and Jersey) and Gibraltar, travelling to Schengen area countries will change after the UK leaves the EU.

After 29 March 2019, you’ll need to check the details of your passport and, if necessary, apply for a new one before you travel to a Schengen area country.

If your passport will be older than nine years and six months (so, only six months left) on the date you plan to travel, you will need to renew it in advance.

You can check if you’ll have any travel issues in the event of a no-deal using this calculator.

Brexit no deal news: Brexit comes with a lot of uncertainty (Image: Getty)

TIP 3: USE A GLOBAL ALLIANCE ATM

EasyFX explained how a group of banks across the world have come together to form the Global ATM Alliance, a network of major international banks who allow their customers to use their ATMs with no fees.

For UK customers, Barclays is the main bank participating in this, and will remain in place after Brexit.

If you're a Barclays customer you can use foreign ATMs from banks such as Deutsche Bank, Bank of America, BNP Paribas and Westpac without being charged foreign fees.

TIP 4: CHECK YOUR MOBILE ROAMING POLICY

This is another from the government’s technical notices, which say: “In the event that we leave the EU without a deal, the costs that EU mobile operators would be able to charge UK operators for providing roaming services would no longer be regulated after March 2019.

“This would mean that surcharge-free roaming when you travel to the EU could no longer be guaranteed.”

However, the government has promised to issue new law to force mobile operators to apply a financial limit on mobile data use.

To protect yourself, you should check your policy before you travel, and know your rights when it comes to switching suppliers if you wish.

You should also be sure to find out how to switch your roaming off before you go, to avoid any unwanted charges stacking up without you even realising.

Brexit no deal news: Across the UK, people will be hoping to start planning their summer breaks soon (Image: Getty)

TIP 5: KNOW YOUR FEES

These are the possible fees you could be charged whilst away, according to EasyFX:

- Non-sterling transaction fee - a charge for every transaction you make with your card. For UK customers this is currently in the region of 2.75-2.99 per cent.

- Non-sterling purchase fee - charged every time you make a purchase using the card. Usually about 0-1.25 per cent.

- Cash withdrawal fee for foreign ATMs - charged every time you use a foreign ATM. Ranges from about £1.50-2.

These are rough estimates, and will vary from company to company.

It's always good to familiarise yourself with your own bank's fees and charges before you go away.

Don’t forget that on top of these fees, you’ll also be charged extra by bureau de changes and foreign banks when converting currency.

TIP 6: EXPLORE OTHER WAYS TO CONVERT CURRENCY

Withdrawing cash abroad often has fees of up to £1.50 per transaction and carrying large sums of money exchanged prior to a holiday can be risky.

One alternative is a prepaid currency card, which is a great way to carry your holiday money with less risk.

Use them instead of your usual bank card and you'll be paying for everything in the local currency, thus avoiding all those foreign bank fees.